30 July 2010

It was a very good year . . .

My current work in progress (a western) is set in the year 1871. Here’s what else was happening:

History Congress enacts a Reconstruction law regarding electionsCongress enacts the Ku Klux Klan Act to enforce 14th amendment“Greenbacks” are adopted as legal tenderWilliam “Boss” Tweed is convicted of fraud in New YorkBrigham Young arrested for practicing polygamyFire obliterates ChicagoRace riots against the Chinese erupt in California

William I, King of Prussia, is proclaimed German EmperorParis capitulates; France signs armistice (Franco-Prussian War)France cedes Alsace-Lorraine to GermanyThe Commune in Paris rules for two monthsItalian Law of Guarantees allows the pope possession of the VaticanBritish Act of Parliament legalizes labor unionsBritish Columbia joins Dominion of CanadaBasutoland becomes part of Cape ColonyBritain annexes diamond fields of KimberleyRasputin, Russian monk, born (died in 1916)

2 Comments:

Out of all this, I'd have to say the most significant event was the invention of rolled toilet paper. At least, it's probably the one that hits most of us where we sit, so to speak.Being from the Chicago, I guess I should acknowledge the fire, too. After all, without it no one would have heard of Mrs. O'Leary, let alone her cow.

What a great post, Lynna! I love looking at all the various things going on round the world at the time one of my books is set. It gives such a wonderful context, even if I only use a small bit of it in the actual story.